Illinois Governor's Tax Returns Reveal A Big Pot Of Money From An Unexpected Source

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, and his wife, reported a combined gross adjusted income of $10.7 million in 2024, according to their joint federal income tax return — which was released by the governor's re-election campaign. That figure was more than triple the $2.8 million Pritzker reported the year before in 2023, and while most of Pritzker's money stems from capital gains, dividends, and taxable interest, his 2024 income tax also included a cool $1.425 million earned from gambling.

Pritzker revealed that his gambling winnings derived from playing blackjack while on vacation in Las Vegas. "I was incredibly lucky," Pritzker told reporters during a mid-October 2025 press conference. "Anybody who's played cards in a casino knows that you often play for too long and lose whatever it is that you've won," Pritzker said, before adding, "I was fortunate enough to have to leave before that happened." While Pritzker's blackjack winnings don't even come close to being among the biggest payouts in gambling history, the number is still impressive, especially considering the winnings will be donated to charity. With that said, the total is merely a drop in the bucket for Pritzker, who, as of October 2025, had a net worth of $3.9 billion, according to Forbes. This makes Pritzker wealthier than even the richest members of Congress.

Most of Pritzker's fortune comes from his family's huge interest in the Hyatt Hotels Corporation, as well as his time co-running a private equity firm until March 2017 — about a year prior to his election as Illinois governor. With that said, it's no wonder Pritzker can afford to play cards; a pastime he has used to help raise money for causes. Pritzker even started a high-profile charity tournament called Chicago Poker Challenge, which raises money for Illinois' Holocaust Museum & Education Center. 

Pritzker has also wagered that gambling and casinos will help his state, by supporting the legalization of sports betting and even authorizing six new casinos in Illinois. Despite his winnings in Vegas, he told reporters, "...I encourage people to come to the state of Illinois and gamble in our casinos here," before adding, "We have some really lovely places to go." A rumored contender for the 2028 presidential election, Pritzker was asked if this blackjack windfall will be used against him during the Democratic primary. He replied that he was focused on running for a third term as governor of Illinois, adding that he doesn't view his billions as a liability, per the Wall Street Journal, adding: "I think people know that when I got elected, and have known for some time that, you know, I've been very fortunate in my life."